Who Were the Victims of Orlando Pulse Mass Shooting

We have had numerous shootings in this country since the last "BAD" one, a statement you could make most days. Because no matter what you consider a really BAD one, there has almost always been a series of them that barely register as news. We're so used to them, something has to stand out for it even rise to the level of newsworthy, all-caps BAD. And to push the presidential nomination practically out of the news, it has to really be something.
This most recent one wasn't merely "BAD," it rates as the single-largest mass shooting in American history, and one of the worst terror attacks on American soil in history. It also contains so many hot-button political story elements, as to confuse anybody as to how to approach it, particularly when writing about it. Namely:

- The target was a popular gay bar, the victims obviously gay or gay-friendly,
- The event was "Latin night," providing a second minority in the mix, and
- It's gay pride month in the United States.
- The shooter was of Muslim/Middle-Eastern descent, but
- The shooter was born in the United States, and was a full-fledged citizen, and
- The shooter is alleged to have had Al Qaeda and ISIS allegiances, but
- The shooter very well may have been a lone wolf, glomming on to either or both of the above as inspiration, and not necessarily directed by anyone to carry out this action, and
- It's Ramadan.
- The shooter had violent tendencies, a police record, and was on the FBI's radar, but
- The weapons were legally obtained.

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34, from source, Los Angeles Times

In this day of extreme political polarity in our country, and instantaneous social media interaction, there is immediate public and political response. But, because of the mixed nature of the elements of this story, it's been interesting (to say the least) to see how conservatives vs. liberals respond, how the presidential candidates respond and see where the media goes with the story.

Personally, I'm torn on the whole "hate crime vs. terrorism" angles on the story. I find this obsession by the political right that President Obama call any attack by a Muslim "Radical Islamic Terrorism" or some variation (their variation) bizarre. As if something magical would happen. I find the focus being taken away from the gay hate crime angle somewhat refreshing and somewhat irritating. As always, I find the ammosexuals' instantaneously rabid response to even the notion of talking about guns and gun laws ridiculous and revolting. Most of all, I'm sorry that all of this distracts from the actual victims of--again--the worst mass murder in American history. So, let's take a moment to focus on that.

Amanda Alvear, 25, from source, LA Times

[Excerpt]

Victims of the Orlando nightclub massacre: Who they were

A gunman opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, killing at least 49 people and wounding more than 50 others in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

The shooter, identified by authorities as Omar Mateen, 29, of the Fort Pierce, Fla., area, was killed at the scene. Mateen, born in New York to parents who immigrated from Afghanistan, had worked as a security guard in Florida. Authorities said he had pledged allegiance to Islamic State and reportedly had told family members he was disgusted by gay people. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

Right Wing World Tries to Tie Murder of Australian Man to Trayvon Martin Case (?!)

I really shouldn't overthink some of the stranger things to come out of the Right Wing World alternate reality machine. But it can be so strange what gets them cranked up, and how it echoes through the right-wing blogosphere. Drudge or Rush or some lucky also-ran will come up with a eureka idea--nearly always an over-reaction to something, or even a manufactured outrage--and suddenly it's everywhere, even leaking into the so-called liberal media.

Image from source, the great NewsCorpse

This time, I'm really scratching my head. Three boys in Oklahoma were "bored," and decided to kill somebody. They picked an unlucky Australian young man named Chris Lane, a good looking guy out for a jog. For no other reason than something to do, as far as any report I've seen has to say. Most peoples' reactions were astonishment, disgust and horror. "Wow, what's wrong with kids today," was my initial reaction. Later, the boys (aged 15, 16 and 17) were apprehended, put in jail and charged as adults. Their races--something that hadn't even crossed my mind--were black, black and white going by their photos, though as with any person, there could be other nationalities in the mix.

For some reason, the powers-that-be in Right Wing World have decided that this story is somehow analogous to the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case. It's being pushed all over the place, and causing little flame-wars on Facebook and Twitter. But I completely don't get it. I mean, I know that conservatives can be really, really bad at analogies. But where is the comparison here? George Zimmerman killed an unarmed kid, and the cops let him go, using his flimsy story as justification for "stand your ground." Absent a public outcry and media firestorm, we wouldn't even know about the case. The outrage--initially, and throughout the developing story--was the botched investigation, and lack of scrutiny to the death of the kid, and the sketchy character of the killer.

How this compares to three teenagers killing a guy for sport is anyone's guess. As far as we know, there was no racial motivation. The boys were not let go. There's not much ambiguity about exactly what happened (other than sheer disbelief). Nobody is jumping to the defense of the boys, calling into question Chris Lane's character, or calling him a "thug." Nobody is setting up a legal defense fund for them, and donating money (and guns!) to them. Nobody from any side is sticking up for kids who killed a man just to watch him die! There is almost nothing here to analogize to the Trayvon Martin case.

[Excerpt]

Still In The Dark: Fox News Continues To Misunderstand The Tragedy Of Trayvon Martin

When news broke about the brutal and senseless killing of Chris Lane, a young Australian studying in Oklahoma, there was universal disgust and sympathy. It was the sort of random crime that leaves everyone struggling to comprehend how it could occur. Everyone except Fox News, who immediately set out to politicize it to advance their racist agenda. . .

Read more at: NewsCorpse

Zimmerman Juror Concedes That He Got Away with Murder

Image from source, NBC News

Well of course he did. Or at least he got away with manslaughter. And if this juror's side of the story is accurate, it sounds to me like the jury was a bit confused. I mean "beyond a reasonable doubt" does not mean beyond any doubt. It doesn't mean beyond a ghost of a chance. But I will concede that the prosecution blew this case (and was handicapped by a poor initial investigation). I still don't buy George Zimmerman's story for a second.

[Excerpt]

Juror: Zimmerman 'got away with murder' but had to be acquitted

A member of the jury that acquitted George Zimmerman said Thursday she thinks Zimmerman "got away with murder" but that jurors had no choice in finding him not guilty under the law. . .

Read more at: NBC News

How the System Failed Trayvon Martin

Image from source, New York Times

Unless there is an astonishing development, or profoundly newsworthy happening regarding the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin shooting incident, I don't imagine I'll be writing much about it again. Oh, I'm sure "Stand Your Ground" will come up, and it's possible that there will be significant events, such as a civil trial or maybe even something from the Justice Department. But of the trial itself, and the horrible actual shooting, I think I'm spent on the subject.

So, I will put a bow on this stage of it at least with the best piece I've seen written on the subject, by Charles M. Blow. It's worth a read, whichever side you came down on.

[Excerpt]

The Whole System Failed Trayvon Martin

In a way, the not-guilty verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman for his killing of Trayvon Martin was more powerful than a guilty verdict could ever have been. It was the perfect wrenching coda to a story that illustrates just how utterly and completely our system of justice — both moral and legal — failed Martin and his family. . .

Read more at: New York Times

John Oliver's Daily Show Reaction to Zimmerman Verdict (Video)

Now that the video of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart John Oliver's reaction to the George Zimmerman trial verdict is available, I had to post it. It was really, really well done.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Daily Show: John Oliver Takes on Zimmerman Verdict and Nails It

Image from Mediaite

For the first time since Jon Stewart took his summer break from The Daily Show, Stewart may have reason to fear for his job. Fill-in host John Oliver started fairly strong, and has only gotten better. And with his report on the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin trial verdict, he was truly every bit as good as Stewart. I know they share a team of writers, so the words are going to be there, but this was a terrific, funny and spot-on piece. If The Other Half weren't asleep, I would have stood up and cheered. Cheerioed? Great job, Mr. Oliver!

[Excerpt]

John Oliver Slams Florida: ‘Just Because You’re Shaped Like A Dick Doesn’t Mean You Have To Act’ Like One

In his first show after a two week hiatus (nice life), Daily Show interim host John Oliver excoriated the entire state of Florida for the George Zimmerman verdict and the Stand Your Ground laws that surrounded the case. . .

Read more (with video) at: Mediaite

George Zimmerman Video Shows No Blood, No Injury

Maybe it's just from too much CSI and Law & Order, but when a person has been in a fight that resulted in "lacerations" to the back of the head, and a broken, bloody nose. . .well, you'd expect there to be evidence of that in a video taken later that day. You'd think there'd be blood on George Zimmerman from having shot Trayvon Martin, but that's where my CSI knowledge falls down, with geometry and physics being weak spots for me. But certainly, Zimmerman could be expected to be bloodied, bruised and a little staggery if all that he said is true. [Story continues below]



Readers of this blog know that I don't usually follow "true crime" local stories that burst through to a national level. I avoid Nancy Grace like the plague. But this case has jumped beyond an ordinary murder case. For me, it has very little to do with race, per se, unless that was what motivated Zimmerman. A lot of people on the right (and isn't it amazing that a homicide comes down to right vs. left?) have immediately jumped on the race issue with both feet. "Zimmerman isn't 'white', he's 'Mexican'" they'll say. "What about that case in XYZ state, where a black guy killed a white guy, what about that?" 

As usual, my friends on the right miss the point.  The point is that Zimmerman was released with apparently cursory questioning. It's brand new news, as far as I know, that the police even took him in. Without benefit of lawyers, jurors or judges, he was allowed to go free--remains free, in fact--still with the gun that killed Martin. If Martin had gotten the upper hand, and wrested the gun away from Zimmerman, killing him, how many people believe the kid would have been released, with the gun? Okay, so maybe it could be about race after all. Or about the police siding with Zimmerman for a different reason. Whatever it is, it stinks.

I will concede that we do not have all of the facts here. And the facts may shake out differently than we expect. But I think it is very safe to say that the police did an extremely shoddy job on this, and/or the "Stand Your Ground" law is insanely written. Because I still can't see a way where it wasn't Trayvon Martin who had a right to stand his ground.

[Excerpt]


Trayvon Martin Case: Police Video Shows No Blood, Bruises On George Zimmerman After Killing

Newly released video of George Zimmerman at the Sanford Police Department the night he shot Trayvon Martin to death show the neighborhood watch volunteer without blood on his clothing or bruises on his face or head. His clean-shaven picture seems to contrast with the violent beating he told police he endured at the hands of Martin, 17, who Zimmerman said attacked him from behind. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Florida's "Stand Your Ground" Law, Jeb Bush, and Getting Away With Murder

As promised, here's my second Rachel Maddow Show clip, as promised. But this one is less snarky, and far more serious. It concerns the Trayvon Martin alleged murder in Florida, and how his killer (not just alleged) is hiding behind the "Stand Your Ground" law, signed by former Governor Jeb Bush. If you've only heard a bit on this story, I encourage you to watch this.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Judge Allows Road Trip for Murder

We are certainly a country of extremes. On one hand, there seems to be a meanness trend in government, putting the screws to people, even to the point of revoking a condemned man's last meal. But it is also very common for the reaction of public officials to go way too far the other way. To wit:

[Excerpt]

Wash. Judge Lets Murder Defendant Take Road Trip

A Washington state judge is letting a murder defendant take a two-week, five-state road trip so she can attend her half-sister's memorial service, go to the dentist and pick up some winter clothes. . .

Read more at: 8NewsNow

Thank you to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Horrors! Cannibal Woman May be Paroled!

Maybe her husband's favorite mean
phrase to yell was "Eat me!"?

Okay, I know some guys are pricks. They're abusive, and nasty, and deserve almost whatever is coming to them. Almost. But I'm having a hard time getting on board with this lady's husband being so abusive--in a less than 30-day marriage--that it drove her to eat him!


[Excerpt]


Omaima Aree Nelson, ex-model who killed and ate her husband, is now seeking parole

. . .Prosecutors say Nelson killed her husband of less than a month, on Thanksgiving Day. She cooked his head and his hands. She then attempted to get some of her ex-boyfriends to help dispose of the rest of the body parts. . .


Read more at: CBS News

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link

Nevada Number 1 in Domestic Violence Murders

Quite a lot was made of the "sanctity of marriage" in Nevada back in 2000 and 2002. Those were the years that Question 2--the constitutional amendment to bar same-sex marriage--went on the ballot, ultimately to pass. It was quite ludicrous to use that "sanctity" argument in a state with quickie marriages, quickier divorces, Elvis officiators, drive-thru chapels and spouses won on game shows. And now further shredding the sanctity: Nevada is number one in domestic violence murders. Wow.

[Excerpt] 

Nevada First in Domestic Violence Murders



More women are killed in domestic violence incidents in Nevada than in any other state in the country. According to the Violence Policy Center's Report, Nevada has been first four out of five years. The numbers were released ahead of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. . .

Read more at: 8NewsNow

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Iowa Governor: No Link Between Anti-gay Rhetoric and Murder of Gay Kid

Yeah. You know what? If your political party is going to make hay at the expense of gay people, their rights and their lives, your party needs to own it, when bad things happen.

Marcellus Andrews, killed in
anti-gay attack in Iowa.
Image from TowleRoad

[Excerpt]

Iowa Governor: No Link Between Recent Fatal Anti-Gay Attack and Tenor of State's Debate Over Gay Marriage

Prompted by questioning from a reporter, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad commented on the recent murder of Waterloo, Iowa teen Marcellus Andrews, who was beaten to death by a group of people who preceded their attack with anti-gay slurs. . .

Read more: TowleRoad

Michele Bachmann has the Spirit of John Wayne Gacy?

Image from PrairieGhosts

Oh, my. This is a strange, strange gaffe for Michele Bachmann to make. She's done similar things before, kind of skimming a history text, and spouting out a history lesson that jumbles the details. But she's not just from Waterloo, Iowa, she's making a great big giant deal about her birthplace. So, how could she not know that the John Wayne from Waterloo was the serial killer rather than the right-wing hero?

In right-wing world, this is now a) being dismissed as a simple gaffe, b) being called the Palin-fication of Bachmann by the lamestream media, c) being called irrelevant because President Obama once said "57 states", and d) actually being cited as correct, since John Wayne's parents were from Waterloo, and that Gacy only lived there for a couple of years, so he wasn't from there! So it is now clear that Bachmann is going to get the same level of water-carrying that Palin got.

[Excerpt]

Wayne's birthplace no secret in Iowa

The Minnesota congresswoman cited John Wayne as an inspiration during her campaign kickoff in Waterloo, Iowa, Monday, saying the actor hailed from the town. In fact, Wayne hailed from Winterset, while serial killer John Wayne Gacy came from Waterloo. . .


Read more at: Politico

Thanks to my sister and to Stupid Monkey Planet for pointing this one out.

Rachel Maddow Covers Arizona Shootings

I'm not anti-gun, particularly. I grew up around them, I learned how to shoot them and handle them properly. But I'm also aware that the world is not an action movie, and most of us are not Dirty Harry. A heavily armed populace scares the crap out of me if I think about it too hard. I personally think that about 80% of drivers ought to have their licenses taken away, so how strenuously can I advocate that everybody have a gun? Particularly the semi- or fully-automatic kind that have one purpose: killing lots of people. The gun and magazine used by that Jared Loughner guy are not used in hunting, and are not needed for personal protection (unless you're defending yourself against the similarly armed). A look at the clip below is sobering evidence that the way we treat the whole issue of handguns in this country isn't working very well. Solutions? I honestly have no idea.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

What Happens in Vegas: CSI Worthy Gruesome Murder Case

Image from source, Las Vegas Sun

I've been a semi-regular viewer of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation since the first episode. But one thing that has always bothered me (outside of the out-of-whack Las Vegas geography on the show), is the gruesome deaths. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big horror movie fan too, so I'm not bothered by the gore and violence. It's just that if we had a twisted murder (or two or three) a week like they do on the show, we'd have the most interesting local news reports in the nation!

Then again, we do get some weird cases. We had a body builder who murdered a lady and burned her in her car. We had a guy who almost did himself in making the poison, ricin. We've had uncounted "Vegas connections," where the criminal has had some sort of tie to the area. And then there's this nasty story.

[Excerpt]

Judge sets bail at $2.26 million in ‘very gruesome’ death

. . .Michael Victor Lane, 37, appeared today in front of Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle, who set the bail and a preliminary hearing date of Jan. 11.

He is accused in the death of Ginger Candela, 44. Candela’s body was found by missing persons detectives Nov. 30 in the garage of her home in the 3100 block of Westfield Street. Her body was cut in half and stuffed into a trash can filled with bleach, according to a police report. Police said they believe she died about two weeks before she was found. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas Sun

Image from source, MSNBC

As noted previously, I'm entertaining friends and family from out of town, and have been unable to blog up until now. And right now, I may only have a moment. I'll just give a few quick news items I've been missing, with a brief editorial and some links.

Not much to say here, except. . .yikes.

[Excerpt]

Coach Killed in Beijing

Relative of U.S. coach killed in Beijing attack

A Chinese man stabbed the in-laws of the U.S. Olympic men's volleyball coach, killing one and injuring the other while they visited a Beijing tourist site near the main venue where Olympic competitions began Saturday, officials said.

The victims were Todd and Barbara Bachman, parents of former Olympian Elisabeth Bachman, who is married to men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon. Bachman's father was killed. . .

Read more (with video) at: MSNBC

Ellen Degeneres' Emotional Appeal for Change

Everybody knows that Ellen DeGeneres is a gay woman--it was right there on People Magazine. But with rare exceptions, the most political thing Ellen ever does these days is be herself. She rarely makes a big issue of it, particularly in the years since her ABC show, and her relationship with Anne Heche. She found herself the victim of a vicious backlash at the time, and it's surprising (and wonderful) that she's mounted such an effective comeback.

On her "Leap Year" show, Ellen decided to get political again--if only for a few minutes--to highlight a very serious topic: the murder of Lawrence (Larry) King, a gay middle schooler, over a Valentine wish. Ellen handles the topic with warmth and emotion, and a call for change. Take a look.

Lest We Forget... A Reminder...

Whether Ciara Durkin was killed because of who she loves or because of what she knew remains to be seen... Be it hate crime or an assassination there needs to be answers regarding the murder of a US soldier within the confines of an Army base. The US & the country of Ireland are investigating her death.
Eventually, the truth will prevail.

Please read the summary written by Dennis Tatz (The Patriot Ledger) found on the Arlington Memorial website. A great deal of information can be found in his write up.

Please remember Ms. Ciara M. Durkin's sacrifices.

Ciara M. Durkin, Specialist, United States Army

Photos found on ArlingtonCemetary.net

GOP Sex Scandal Murder Mystery (More Details)

I wrote a post about a story on AmericaBlog.com on Sunday, regarding a bizarre and convoluted GOP sex scandal murder mystery. They have a followup running today, and once again it is far too involved to excerpt here. It will suffice to say, that this is a story that any investigative reporter worth his salt should be sinking his teeth into.

It remains to be seen whether or not this story will burst wide open, or quietly be swept away. It is definitely worth a read, and I'd like to spread the word. Read it here:

Untangling the latest GOP gay scandal at AmericaBlog.com

GOP Sex Scandal and MURDER?

I've already outright stolen a post from AmericaBlog.com recently (fully attributed, of course), so this time, only a short comment, and then the headline. I'll let you click over there to read the story. And believe me, you'll want to read the story.

First a comment. This constant GOP sex scandal carousel is in effect a catch-22 situation. The Republicans campaign strenuously on an anti-gay, "family values" platform. This causes people who share their ideology (particularly the 25% who seem hard-wired to be Republicans) to be outwardly straight. And by straight, I don't only mean heterosexual. I mean the mythical, idyllic morally straight.

Problem is, most people don't fit this strict definition. You raid anybody's closet, you're likely to come out with something that might need a little explanation. So these people with urges to cheat, to see hookers, to get kinky, to get it on with their own sex--these people have to suppress those urges wayyy down. Kinda like priests, need I go on? Yep, that naughtiness comes busting out in inappropriate ways. So the GOP is somewhat complicit in creating the kind of person that gets caught in a sex scandal. Isn't it ironic? Don'tcha think?

That said, this one went way over the line from inappropriate, to criminal. Allegedly.

READ: Another GOP gay scandal brews in murder-suicide case? at AmericaBlog.com